Refresh Your Hot Tub Plumbing with a Simple Homemade Line Flush
After months of regular use, every hot tub owner knows the frustrations of dirty plumbing. Jets get clogged, pipes fill with gunk, and water circulation suffers. Foul odors waft from the tub, and water clarity declines. While commercial hot tub cleaning products provide an easy solution, most contain harsh chemicals and cost a pretty penny. Thankfully, with some simple kitchen staples you likely have on hand, you can give your hot tub pipes and plumbing a deep cleaning and refresh without spending a dime.
In this post, we'll walk through an incredibly effective yet gentle homemade line flush using baking soda. With just baking soda and water, you can blast away all the built-up grime, bacteria, and scum clinging to your hot tub's pipes and jets. We'll cover when and why to flush your lines, step by step instructions for mixing and applying the baking soda line flush, and tips for the best results. After reading, you'll be ready to mix up a batch and get your hot tub circulation and cleanliness back in top form.
Why Flush Your Hot Tub Lines?
Though it may seem like an optional extra step, regularly flushing your hot tub's internal plumbing is critical for performance and hygiene. Here are some key reasons you should be flushing those pipes:
Buildup of Gunk, Scum, Bacteria
Over time, a layer of nasty gunk accumulates on the inside walls of hot tub pipes and jets. This gunk, known as biofilm, is a mix of minerals, soap residue, bacteria, and other microscopic matter. If not cleaned out, the biofilm multiplies and thickens, potentially causing serious plumbing blockages and issues.
Poor Circulation and Jet Performance
As biofilm and mineral deposits accumulate, they restrict water flow through pipes and jets. Your spa's pumps have to work harder to circulate water, effectiveness of the jets is reduced, and it's harder to maintain proper water balance. Flush regularly to keep water moving freely.
Cloudy Water, Foul Odors
When bacteria and scum buildup in the plumbing goes unchecked, it will begin leaching out into your spa water causing cloudiness, off-putting odors, and foaming at the jets. A line flush removes this hidden gunk at the source for sparkling clean water.
Need for Thorough Deep Clean
For serious deep cleaning and de-gunking, a line flush is required. Normal maintenance with spa chemicals can't fully penetrate and dislodge clogs the way a dedicated line flush can. Think of it like cleaning the inside of straw versus just wiping the outside.
Dangers of Chemical Line Flushes
Now that you know why hot tub line flushing is so critical, why avoid the commercial chemical flushes sold at pool stores? Here are some downsides to these mass-market cleaners:
Harsh on Plumbing
Many commercial line flush products contain extremely harsh chemicals like hydrochloric acid. These can actually damage plumbing seals and components when used over time.
Toxic Residues
Powerful commercial line cleaners leave behind toxic chemical residues even after rinsing which then get released into your hot tub water. Not something you want to be soaking in!
Costly and Inconvenient
Specialized plumbing cleaners and de-greasers can cost $20+ per bottle. Runs to the pool supply shop and restocking multiple bottles per year adds up quick. A simple homemade solution saves time and money.
Introducing the Baking Soda Line Flush
Given the drawbacks of commercial chemical line cleaners, a safe, non-toxic DIY line cleaning solution is highly appealing. This is where a simple mixture of baking soda and water comes in. When mixed into a spreadable paste and applied generously throughout your spa's plumbing, it cleans and deodorizes just as well or better than harsh chemical solutions. Let's look at what makes it so effective.
What is It?
This homemade line flush starts with plain baking soda - an inexpensive powder you likely already have sitting in your kitchen cabinet. When mixed with water at a 1:1 ratio into a thick, paste-like consistency, the baking soda becomes a gentle but highly effective abrasive cleaner.
Benefits
Compared to commercial cleaners, a baking soda line flush solution has some major perks:
- Non-toxic and inexpensive - made from water and baking soda only.
- Available at any grocery store - no special trips needed.
- Safe for hot tub shell and pipes - won't damage plumbing
- Naturally disinfects and deodorizes - fights bacteria and odors
Step-By-Step Guide
Ready to get scrubbing with this easy, affordable plumbing refresh? Gather just a few supplies and follow these simple steps:
Supplies Needed
- Baking soda - 1-2 cups
- Water - 1-2 cups
- Large container for mixing paste
- Old towels or cleaning mittens
Mixing the Paste
Start by adding equal parts baking soda and water to a large mixing container - about 1 cup each to begin. The ratio can be adjusted to make a thinner or thicker paste.
Stir the two ingredients together thoroughly until a thick, spreadable, opaque paste forms with a gritty texture. The paste is ready when it reaches a frosting-like consistency.
If it seems too thin, mix in a bit more baking soda. For smoother application, add a touch more water. The thicker the paste, the more scrubbing power it will have.
Applying the Paste
With your cleaning paste mixed, drain your hot tub partially so some jets and pipes are exposed. Use a damp towel or cleaning mitten to generously coat the inside shell and plumbing with the baking soda paste.
Reach into pipes to apply paste deep inside. Thoroughly coat each jet opening both inside and out. The thicker you can apply the paste, the better it will scrub.
Be sure to get paste into every nook and cranny where gunk could be clinging. Take your time to fully coat all surfaces for maximum cleaning power.
Letting It Work
Once everything is fully coated in paste, let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Set a timer. As it sits, the baking soda will activate and bubble, lifting away grime and buildup.
For extremely dirty pipes, let the paste work longer up to 30 minutes so it can fully penetrate the gunk. Keep an eye that it doesn't dry out.
Rinsing
After the paste has sat, drain out any remaining water from your spa so all surfaces are exposed. Using a fresh towel and water, thoroughly wipe away the baking soda paste until it is completely rinsed off all jets, pipes, and surfaces.
Be sure to remove even small amounts of leftover paste to prevent clouds when refilling. Once rinsed, go ahead and refill your spa with fresh water.
Tips for the Best Results
To get the most effective scrubbing power and line cleaning from your homemade baking soda flush, follow these handy tips:
- Do light flushes monthly and deeper flushes every 3-4 months.
- Always rinse away paste thoroughly after treatment.
- Add vinegar during rinsing phase to increase bubbling reaction.
- Use a soft brush on tough buildup areas.
- Check jets closely to ensure paste is fully removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is baking soda safe for my hot tub?
Yes, baking soda is 100% safe to use in your hot tub. It will not harm the shell, plumbing, or other components. As a mild alkali, it actually helps re-balance spa water.
How often should I do this treatment?
For preventative maintenance, aim to flush your lines with a baking soda paste monthly. For deeper cleaning of problem buildup, do a treatment every 3-4 months.
What ratio of baking soda to water is best?
Aim for a 1:1 ratio to start - 1 cup baking soda to 1 cup water. Adjust to make a thinner or thicker paste as needed. The thicker the paste, the more scrubbing power it will have.
Can I let it sit longer than 10 minutes?
Definitely. For serious gunk, let the paste sit for 20-30 minutes to allow the baking soda time to fully penetrate and lift deposits. Just keep an eye that it doesn't dry out.
Will this fully disinfect my hot tub?
While helpful, baking soda alone will not fully sanitize or disinfect your hot tub. Use this treatment to remove grime, and follow up with chlorine or bromine to fully disinfect.
DIY Hot Tub Line Flush: Materials and Tools Required
Before starting your DIY hot tub line flush, gather the following supplies:
- Line flush cleaner - Look for a bottle at your local home improvement store or order online. Brands like Ahhsome make effective cleaners.
- Garden hose or submersible pump - Needed to drain out old hot tub water once the cleaner has circulated.
- Cleaning mitts/towels - For wiping away grime on the hot tub surfaces.
- White vinegar or diluted bleach (optional) - Can be used in place of a commercial cleaner for extra cleaning power.
- Baking soda (optional) - An all-natural line cleaning booster you can mix with the cleaner.
- Protective gloves and eyewear - Important safety gear when handling any hot tub chemicals.
DIY Hot Tub Line Flush: Step-by-Step Process
Once you have gathered the necessary supplies, follow these steps:
- Turn off the hot tub and remove the filter cartridges.
- Add the line flush cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Turn the jets on high speed and leave the cover off to circulate the cleaner.
- Allow the cleaner to circulate for at least 20 minutes, longer for heavy buildup.
- For severe gunk, let the cleaner circulate overnight.
- Turn off jets and use the hose or pump to drain out the old water/cleaner.
- While empty, clean the shell and surfaces with vinegar, bleach, or baking soda.
- Replace filters and refill with fresh water.
DIY Hot Tub Line Flush: Tips and Precautions
To ensure a safe and effective line flush, keep these tips in mind:
- Carefully follow chemical brand instructions to avoid hot tub damage.
- Always wear protective gloves and goggles when handling chemicals.
- Make sure hose pumps used to drain are made for hot tub use.
- Check local regulations for proper disposal of flushed water.
- Consider using baking soda paste to scrub away tough gunk instead of harsh cleaners.
While commercial line flush cleaners are highly effective, you can also use household ingredients if you prefer a more natural approach:
- White Vinegar - Mix equal parts vinegar and water and circulate through pipes to loosen debris buildup. Rinse thoroughly after.
- Diluted Bleach - In a ratio of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, bleach can kill bacteria inside pipes. Use occasionally for disinfection.
- Baking Soda - Make a paste with baking soda and water and scrub it manually over the plumbing for an all-natural scrub.
It's easy to give your hot tub's plumbing a refreshed, clean feeling with a homemade line flush. No more gunky jets or lackluster circulation. Just pure, smooth-flowing clean pipes and sparkling spa water. Give it a try and breathe new life into your hot tub today!